Microglia have distinct morphologies depending on where they reside in the mouse brain, according to a novel approach that reveals nuances about the cells’ shape. That form also changes with development and varies by sex, the researchers show in data that could aid in understanding the role of microglia in conditions such as autism.
Microglia are immune cells that support healthy development in the brain. Considered the brain’s gardeners or housekeepers, they continuously survey their environment, ready to activate when their services are needed to prune synapses or clean up cell debris.
Microglial cell function goes awry in people with autism, according to one theory about the condition. Microglia in autistic people’s brains tend to have dysregulated genes, and autism model mice have a disproportionate number of microglia in an activated state. But researchers do not yet have a handle on how microglia morphology is linked to function or how ...
